Automatic machine gun



Aug. 17 1926.

' R. s. CECERO AUTOMATIC MACHINE GUN Filed June 5' 1925 2 Sheets-Shawl 1gwveufoz R. S, ve 0 Aim; 17,1926. v

R. S. CECERQ AUTOMATIC MACHINE mm 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5, 1925 Ijnumtoz R. Siwm Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

UNITED ST'lLEn RALPH S. CECERO, OF WATEBB'URY, CONNECTICUT.

This invention relates to an automatic machine gun and particularly tomachine gun operating mechanism for use on aeroplanes, although adaptedfor use in field servuc.

The particular object of the invention, when applied to aeroplane use isto provide a mechanism, entirely automatic in its operation whereby thegun may be fired between the blades of the propeller during flight ofthe craft. A further object is to provide a mechanism, entirelycontrolled by the propeller for determining the timing of the firing. Afurther object is to provide a simple motor operating mechanism,associated with the machine gun trigger, for positively operating saidtrigger to fire the gun. A further feature is the provision of mechanismwhich may be dispensed with when hand operation of the gun is desired,and without alteration or change of apparatus.

A. further object is to provide an auto matic machine gun operatingmechanism, adapted for field as well as aeroplane serv ice, and capableof being operated and controlled by a gunner at any distance from themachine.

Vith these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the novelfeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as willbe hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in thespecification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of a propeller, showing its relation to a machinegun. the dotted line position of the propeller indicating its positionwhen the gun is fired;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side view showing the gun trigger operatingmeans;

Figure 4: is a View at right angles to Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a diagramatic view of a modification of the use of theinvention.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings by numeralsof reference, l designates generally a conventional form of machine gun,shown unmounted, for sake of clearness, the trigger being indicated at 2in dotted lines. Arranged upon a base 3, in proximity to the machine gun2 is an electric motor 4., preferably of low horsepower, the shaft 5 ofwhich motor, lies AUTOMATIC MACHINE eon.

Application filed June 5, 1925.

Serial No. 35,215.

transversely to the stock of the gun and carries a trigger operating arm6, which is in the nature of a. crank, the trigger engaging finger 7being so arranged, that in its orbital path, it will engage the trigger2, once in every cycle, and fire the gun.

Since this gun operating mechanism is adapted for both aeroplane andfield use, I will just describe its construction with its its relationto an aeroplane. When used with the latter, the propeller 8, itselfgenerally of conventional construction, is provided with a contact bar9, the arms 10 of which are diametrically opposed and carried by thepropeller blades, although preterably insulated therefrom.

Suitably supported upon a portion or". the forward portion or" the motorframe, in proximity to the propeller, and arranged in the plane ofrotation thereof, are a pair of arcuate contact plates 11, the platesbeing disposed on diametrically opposite sides of he propeller shaft,and concentric with the axis thereof. In operation, in every revolutionof the propeller, for period. depend ent upon the length of the contactplates 11, the contact bar 9 will bridge the latter, and complete thecircuit through conductors 12, battery 14, switch 15, and the electricmotor l, causing the latter to be energized, and causing the triggerengaging finger 7 to be rotated into contact with the trigger 2, thusfiring the gun, at a period when the blades of the propeller are out ofthe path of the projectile.

hen employed for field service, the motor a, carrying the triggeractuating arm 6, is included in a circuit 16 in which a generator 17 isemployed for supplying the energy to the said motor, a switch 18 servingto open and close the circuit when necessary. The present invention isparticularly advantageous for field service, since ifthe machine gun maybe operated automatically and at will from any .distance.

From the foregoing description of the construction of my improvedapparatus, it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensiveand efiicient means for carrying out the objects of the invention, andwhile I have particularly described the elements best adapted to performthe functions set forth. it is obvious that various changes in form,proportion, and in the mi nor details of construction may be resortedto, Without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theprinciples of the invention.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new is Apparatus forworking the trigger of a manually movable gun comprising a driven shafthaving spaced blades mounted thereon, a circuit closer mounted upon theshaft and having end portions radially disposed with relation to theaxis of the shaft and disposed parallel with the lengths of the blades,contact members disposed at opposite sides of the shaft and disposed inthe path of movement of the end portions of the circuit closer, anelectric generator, a motor, a trigger Working arm carried by the shaftof the motor and conductors connecting the generator, the motor and thecontacts in open circuit.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

RALPH S. CECERO.

